119th Congress
Congressman Suhas Subramanyam Introduces Legislation to Support Small Businesses During the Government Shutdown
Washington, D.C. – This week, Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) introduced the Keep Main Street Open Act to establish an emergency stimulus program for small businesses that have been financially impacted by the government shutdown. The program would be run by the Small Business Administration and be available to eligible applicants immediately.
“Northern Virginia’s economy is in jeopardy. Zero-dollar paychecks for federal workers and contractors, the suspension of vital programs like SNAP, and the administration’s backwards economic policies have significantly reduced spending in our community. Small businesses across Northern Virginia are losing traffic and facing potential layoffs or even closures,” said Congressman Subramanyam. “The Keep Main Street Open Act will provide these small businesses with a lifeline during the shutdown and help prevent further damage to our community. Small businesses are a pillar of Northern Virginia and we need to rally behind them during this shutdown.”
Congressman Suhas Subramanyam is an advocate for small businesses and continues to consult small business owners throughout Northern Virginia during the government shutdown. Since the shutdown began, Congressman Subramanyam has introduced and supported several pieces of legislation to support impacted federal workers, contractors, businesses, and families, including:
The Shutdown Guidance for Financial Institutions Act: Provides and encourages best practices for banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions to work flexibly with people impacted by shutdowns.
The Emergency Relief for Federal Contractors Act: Allows federal contractors affected by a government shutdown to withdraw funds from their retirement savings without being penalized.
View the full bill text here.
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Congressman Suhas Subramanyam Fights to End Government Shutdown and Protect Health Care On The House Floor
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) took to the Floor of the House of Representatives in an attempt to end the shutdown by requesting passage of H.R. 247, the Health Care Affordability Act of 2025, that would permanently extend the Affordable Care Act premium tax credits that are set to expire December 31, 2025. Republicans refused to recognize Subramanyam as Speaker of the House Mike Johnson continues to not hold votes and end the government shutdown. Bipartisan support exists for extending the premium tax credits, and passage of H.R. 247 would likely have paved the way for the shutdown to end.
Subramanyam issued the following statement:
“Not only have House Republicans refused to show up and negotiate an end to this shutdown, they failed to recognize me when I demanded the passage of this commonsense legislation that would prevent health care costs from skyrocketing and pave the way for an end to this shutdown. House Republicans can try to ignore me, but they can’t ignore the American people, including federal workers and contractors in my district, who demand that we work to address this affordability crisis and reopen the government immediately.”
Around four million Americans could lose their health coverage if the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits are allowed to expire. Virginians enrolled in marketplace coverage could see their premiums double, and even people on private insurance will see their monthly payments spike. Congressman Subramanyam has repeatedly called on House Republicans to come back to Washington and vote on legislation that will ensure health care is within reach for Americans. Congressman Subramanyam is seeking a bipartisan budget agreement that reopens the government, protects the federal workforce, and defends access to affordable health care for millions of Americans.
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Congressman Suhas Subramanyam and Ranking Member Robert Garcia Investigate Trump Administration’s Truth Social and X Private Messages and Records
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Suhas Subramanyam and House Oversight Committee Ranking Member Robert Garcia sent records retention requests to the CEOs of Truth Social and X (formerly Twitter) to aid their investigation into the Trump administration’s use of unauthorized messaging platforms for government business. The requests followed reporting that a recent Truth Social post by President Trump addressed to Attorney General Pam Bondi was intended to be a private message, raising questions about the extent of the administration's use of private apps and personal accounts to conduct sensitive government business.
The letters gave notice to both platforms to preserve records beginning on January 20, 2025 that were relevant to private messages, content, and data belonging to or including any member of the Trump administration.
“It's rich that a president who owes his political career to making communications security a campaign issue is now using private, unauthorized messaging platforms to conduct government business,” said Congressman Suhas Subramanyam. “This administration has already proven its incompetence by using Signal to share classified information, and they doubled down with Trump exposing his own private message threats to Attorney General Pam Bondi. The American people deserve transparency into these communication practices and actual oversight over this administration.”
View the full letter to Truth Social here and to X here.
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Congressman Suhas Subramanyam Applauds Financial Institutions Supporting Federal Workers, Contractors, and Local Businesses
Washington, D.C. – This week, as millions of federal employees missed their first full paycheck due to the government shutdown, Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) commended several banks and credit unions for their efforts to provide financial assistance to federal workers, contractors, military servicemembers, and small businesses during the shutdown. These financial institutions have provided interest-free loans, late fee waivers, and other forms of hardship assistance that have had a significant impact on federal workers and contractors and their families who are currently without pay.
“This shutdown is putting countless Virginians in financial distress, from federal workers and contractors struggling to pay rent and cover expenses to small businesses losing the traffic they need to stay afloat through no fault of their own,” said Congressman Subramanyam. “I commend every bank, credit union, and financial institution that understands how shutdowns impact our community and is offering relief when we need it the most. I urge them to continue these efforts for the duration of this shutdown.”
Congressman Subramanyam represents over 36,000 federal workers and thousands more contractors. Since the shutdown began, Congressman Subramanyam has introduced and supported several pieces of legislation to support impacted federal workers, contractors, businesses, and families, including:
The Shutdown Guidance for Financial Institutions Act: Provides and encourages best practices for banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions to work flexibly with people impacted by shutdowns.
The Emergency Relief for Federal Contractors Act: Allows federal contractors affected by a government shutdown to withdraw funds from their retirement savings without being penalized.
He will continue to support any financial institution that seeks to provide assistance to federal workers, contractors, and small businesses during government shutdowns.
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Congressman Suhas Subramanyam Announces Support for Bi-partisan Legislation to Repeal Caesar Sanctions on Syria and Joins the Friends of a Free, Stable, and Democratic Syria Caucus
Washington, D.C. -- “Public policy is best when it’s guided by compassion, security, and opportunity. The recent transition to a new administration in Syria presents an opportunity to bring stability to the country and region. In this moment, we must support the Syrian people to achieve a secure, prosperous future that’s free of oppression. I am proud to join the Friends of a Free, Stable, and Democratic Syria Caucus in the 119th Congress and work with colleagues to advance policies that pursue these goals.
The Syrian people have experienced over a decade of civil war, including mass destruction, hundreds of thousands of deaths, and millions displaced. The Caesar Sanctions, implemented to hold the Assad regime accountable, are now preventing investment and progress for Syrian citizens. Lifting the sanctions will open up opportunities for Syrian families and businesses, and deter terrorism. This approach will rebuild lives and restore hope to a nation that has seen mass destruction.
That is why I am proud to work alongside my colleagues to create a new, bipartisan policy focused on long-term security and stability.
Previous U.S. policies have fallen short of supporting both Syria and the Syrian-American community, and I look forward to working closely with my constituents and colleagues to promote a free, democratic Syria.” – Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10)
Rep. Suhas Subramanyam represents Virginia’s 10th Congressional District. Rep. Subramanyam is a member of the Friends of a Free, Stable, and Democratic Syria Caucus, and is a co-sponsor of H.R. 3941, legislation to repeal the Caesar Sanctions.
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Ranking Member Suhas Subramanyam Supports Pentagon Press Corps and Denounces Secretary Hegseth’s Demands
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Ranking Member of the Military and Foreign Affairs Oversight Subcommittee, denounced Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s move to coerce the Pentagon Press Corps into signing an agreement that included unprecedented restrictions on journalistic independence. The 17-page agreement included a variety of restrictions, from mandatory escorts to preventing the reporting of information without Secretary Hegseth’s approval. News organizations including the Associated Press, the Washington Post, Fox News, and Newsmax refused to sign the restrictive agreement. Congressman Subramanyam issued the following statement:
“Make no mistake, Secretary Hegseth’s attempts to restrict reporters are an attack on freedom of the press, the First Amendment, and our democracy,” said Congressman Subramanyam. “The American people deserve transparency through accurate and fair reporting. Rather than attacking the messengers of his failed policies, Secretary Hegseth should instead consider doing more to support servicemembers and their families and keep our country safe.”
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Ranking Member Suhas Subramanyam Probes Announcement of Qatar Emiri Air Force Facility in Idaho
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Ranking Member of the Military and Foreign Affairs Oversight Subcommittee, sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth demanding answers on the construction of a temporary Qatar Emiri Air Force facility at the Mountain Home Air Base in Idaho. Secretary Hegseth announced that he was “proud that today we're signing a letter of acceptance to build a Qatari-Emiri Air Force facility at the Mountain Home Airbase in Idaho.”
“It appears Qatar is getting a great return on its investment after buying U.S. foreign policy by gifting the President a personal airplane,” Congressman Subramanyam said. “The American people have a lot of questions about this new Qatar Air Force agreement which the Secretary of Defense said would allow Qatar to have an air force facility on American soil, and whether this quid pro quo with Qatar is in the best interest of the American people.”
The letter requests a briefing on the agreement to ensure that the deal is in the best interest of U.S. national security. Given the possibility of conflicts of interest, the letter also requests confirmation that no official recused from matters involving the State of Qatar was involved in this agreement.
Read the full letter here.
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Congressman Subramanyam Releases Statement on Senseless RIFs by Trump Administration
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) released a statement speaking out against Russ Vought and the Trump Administration’s announcement of impending RIFs amidst Republican government shutdown.
“Republicans say they care about federal workers, contractors, and veterans, yet now they want to fire them and use the shutdown they caused as an excuse to do it," Congressman Subramanyam said. “They say it's to save money and pay down the debt, and yet they spend trillions on tax cuts for the wealthiest corporations and billions on handouts to Argentina. Not only is this unnecessary during a shutdown, but it is illegal, and I will exhaust every legislative and legal means necessary to prevent this administration from breaking the law and continuing its war on federal workers and contractors.”
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Congressman Subramanyam Advocates for Property Tax Relief to Support Federal Workforce Affected by Government Shutdown
Washington, D.C. – This week, Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) sent letters to the Loudoun, Prince William, Fauquier, and Rappahannock County Boards of Supervisors urging them to consider adopting car tax and personal property tax extensions to support residents financially affected by the government shutdown. On October 7, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution extending the property tax deadline from October 6 to November 5 for all residents.
“The Republican shutdown has forced tens of thousands of Virginians into financial distress, with many due to miss paychecks as soon as next week,” said Congressman Subramanyam. “During these challenging times, I encourage our local governments to work flexibly with impacted federal workers, contractors, and businesses. I applaud the Fairfax County Board’s decision to put constituents first, and I urge the other local governments in our region to do the same.”
Under Virginia law, local governments have the authority to extend real estate and personal property tax deadlines by up to 90 days without incurring interest or late fees when “good cause” exists. Tens of thousands of federal workers and contractors could begin missing paychecks as soon as next week if the shutdown is not resolved.
Since the shutdown began, Congressman Subramanyam has introduced and supported several pieces of legislation to support impacted federal workers, contractors, businesses, and families, including:
- The Shutdown Guidance for Financial Institutions Act: Provides and encourages best practices for banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions to work flexibly with people impacted by shutdowns.
- The Emergency Relief for Federal Contractors Act: Allows federal contractors affected by a government shutdown to withdraw funds from their retirement savings without being penalized.
Here are the letters to Loudoun, Prince William, Fauquier, and Rappahannock Counties.
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Congressman Subramanyam Responds to Speaker of the House’s Push to Illegally Withhold Backpay
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) released a statement defending federal workers and their legally guaranteed backpay in response to a White House memo and statement made by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson implying that federal workers will not be receiving backpay. Federal law guarantees backpay to federal workers when the government reopens.
“It's the law to pay furloughed federal workers their back pay. House Republican's own shutdown resources even confirm this,” said Congressman Suhas Subramanyam. “This is just more evidence that the White House and House Republicans wanted this shutdown and are using it as another excuse to punish federal workers and contractors who keep our country safe. Instead, they should be negotiating an end to this shutdown and working with us to stop this healthcare crisis they created.”
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